East Stump Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Nelson County, North Dakota. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Nelson County, East Stump Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch East Stump Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 75.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 75.3 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near East Stump Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near East Stump Lake in Nelson County, North Dakota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near East Stump Lake
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Fishing East Stump Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -5.18 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +30.25 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -8.44 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
East Stump Lake averages about 63°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 43°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 18 field readings (2020–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full East Stump Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 9 lakes in Nelson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
East Stump Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CRed Willow LakeGriggs County · 15.4 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CEast Devils LakeRamsey County · 14.4 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Nelson County
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Other Grade D Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-10-13
Monitoring stations: 1